NEW ORLEANS—The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy invites New Orleans musicians to participate in the Y’Heard Me? Music Business Summit—a free experiential program designed for locals to learn more about the music business from industry professionals on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Ellis Marsalis Center at 1901 Bartholomew St.
“Music is a key component of the rich culture of our city," said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "Our focus on fostering local talent has led to tremendous progress in growing New Orleans’ cultural economy over the past few years, and we’ll continue to promote, support and enhance opportunities for local musicians and other cultural producers to help them thrive.”
Developing musicians have the opportunity to attend a three-hour program featuring circuits of small group discussions with mentors covering a range of topics including copyright and intellectual property law, artist management and goal setting, fan engagement and internet marketing, synch licensing (getting your music in films), small business development and local musician resources.
Musicians attending the summit will interact with music industry mentors like Dan Walter, Associate at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, Sarah Bromberg, film licensing professional at Basin St Records, Billy O'Connell, artist manager, Rachel S. Guttman, entertainment and music industry attorney, as well as individuals from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development and members of Google Community Leaders’ Music Technology Team.
Grown from a 2013 music business development pilot program supported by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, the third installment of the Y’Heard Me? Music Business Summit is produced through a joint initiative with Backbeat Foundation, Ellis Marsalis Center, Google Community Leaders Program, Good Work Network, Recording Academy™ Memphis Chapter, Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans, McCranie Sistrunk Anzelmo Hardy McDaniel & Welch, Backbeat Foundation, Guitar Center: GC Pro, Loyola Music Industry Studies Program and Tipitina's Foundation.
"We're proud of the work we have done to ensure the success and sustainability of our city's cultural economy," said Scott Hutcheson, senior advisor to the Mayor for cultural economy. "Through strategic workforce development, job trainings and resourceful partnerships, we are reinforcing the innovative and entrepreneurial nature of cultural economic development to increase opportunities for cultural workers and local musicians. We especially thank all the partners for collaborating to produce this important program."
